Working remotely from home is on the rise over the last couple years, but it can be a challenge if you don’t have a designated workspace where you can focus on the tasks at hand. Maybe it’s time to carve out an area in your house to create a home office. Here are some tips to help you design the perfect workspace for your needs:

Choose a Location

If you’re working from home, be sure to allow yourself some space as cramming yourself into a corner or a closet prohibits creativity and functionality. It’s best to convert a guest room or sunroom into your office, a space with windows and a door that can be closed for privacy. Determine whether or not your work will be compromised by distractions like home traffic flow or outdoor street noise. Will you be on conference calls or video chats? Will you need a quiet space to concentrate? Will exterior distractions take you away from your tasks at hand? These are all things to consider when choosing a workspace.

Make it Functional

You can choose to decorate your office to go with the design flow of your home but keep in mind this needs to be a functional workspace, not a hangout space. Determine what you need to be able to be fully functional in the space. A good desk chair is a must — something that gives you lumbar support and is comfortable. You will need storage space, a space for filing, a large workspace such as a desk or a built-in with drawers. Definitely add some personal touches like art, plants, family photos, etc. This is a space that you will be spending a lot of time in so you want to make it comfortable and attractive.

Add Some Inspiration

Adjusting to working from home can be difficult for those who haven’t done it before so you may need an extra push to get you motivated. Create an office that is inviting, paint the walls a cheerful, bright color, if you are adding window treatments, keep them light and airy to allow in the natural light and still give you a view. Create a space where you want to spend time.

Invest in office equipment

Aside from your laptop, what else will you need in order for your home office to be a functional workspace?  Do you need a dedicated phone line? A printer? Will you be telecommuting and if so, is the backdrop to your computer professional?  Do you need a coffee maker or a mini fridge to save you from potentially distracting trips to the kitchen? These are all important questions to ask yourself when deciding what you’ll need. While office equipment may seem pricey, it is a long-term investment that will pay off.

While working from home may have its distractions, it also has many benefits. Many companies have embraced working remotely and surely you will too if you create a space that you enjoy working in.

If you’d like to talk more about setting up an at-home office, or if there’s something else we can be of assistance with, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.